Meet Zahira Ulloa | Los Angeles Real Estate Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zahira Ulloa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zahira, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
The balance of knowing when to keep going or to step back is a tricky one, especially as a business owner like myself—a real estate agent in the highly competitive Los Angeles market. Los Angeles is one of the toughest places to establish a real estate business. For every house on the market, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of agents vying for the same listing. It’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against you, especially when you don’t land those coveted listings right away.

What keeps me going, even in the face of challenges, is the unwavering support of the people in my life. Knowing there are people who believe in me—sometimes even when I struggle to believe in myself—has been my grounding force. I’ve learned that the tougher the obstacle, the closer you may be to a breakthrough. Success often feels just out of reach, but as long as you don’t give up, you can never truly fail. It may take time, but if your goal is big enough, it’s always worth fighting for and even making sacrifices along the way.

That being said, it’s also okay to pivot when something isn’t working as you envisioned. I’ve had many pivotal moments in my life that have all guided me to my real estate career. The experiences I’ve gained from other ventures aren’t wasted—they’ve shaped the way I approach my business today. Each step, even those that seemed like detours, has been a learning experience.

So, my advice is this: keep going if the passion and purpose still drive you. But if you find yourself consistently stuck or unfulfilled, don’t be afraid to shift direction. Every step, every experience, leads you closer to where you’re meant to be.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Being born and raised in Los Angeles, the city of dreams, is something I’ve never taken for granted. People from all over the world come here to pursue their dream lives, careers, and goals. My journey hasn’t been a traditional one, but it’s shaped who I am today and the values I bring to my business.

Growing up as an only child to a hardworking single mother and grandmother, I learned the importance of perseverance and work ethic early on. Watching them ensure our family had everything we needed instilled in me the drive to succeed. At 16, I got my first job in retail, and from there, I never stopped working toward my goals.

Initially, I pursued a career in TV, working in post-production for on-air entertainment marketing. I was fortunate to work on incredible projects for about four years, combining my creativity with my passion for storytelling. However, I still felt there was something more for me. I began exploring entrepreneurial ventures on the side, trying various paths. While some were successful, none felt like my long-term calling.

During the pandemic, I decided to pursue my real estate license, a step that aligned with my passion for creativity, people, and business. It was challenging and required immense dedication, but achieving that goal was life-changing. After earning my license, I started as an office admin at The Agency, a luxury brokerage. This experience allowed me to learn from top-tier agents and immerse myself in the real estate world.

Transitioning as a full-time real estate agent was both rewarding and eye-opening. Real estate isn’t what you see on TV—it’s a demanding industry where success doesn’t happen overnight. It may take months, if not years, to start seeing meaningful results, which is something most people don’t talk about. But it’s also a field that has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building meaningful relationships with clients and peers.

Today, I’m proud to be part of the Jose Prats Team with Christie’s International. Our team specializes in representing character, architectural, and historic homes, which perfectly aligns with my creative side and deep love for Los Angeles. My goal is to continue growing my business and brand, blending my passion for creativity with the opportunities this vibrant city provides.

What I want people to know about my story is that success isn’t always a straight line. It’s about persistence, learning from every experience, and staying true to your passions. The lessons I’ve learned along the way have shaped not only my career but also my vision for the future. I’m excited to see where the next 5-10 years will take me, and I’m grateful for the journey so far.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is one of the few places in the world where you can start your day oceanside and end it in the mountains surrounded by snow. The diversity of experiences this city offers is unmatched, and I’d plan an itinerary to showcase all its magic.

Day 1: Welcome to LA
We’d kick off the trip with the classic LA experience: grabbing a burger and fries from In-N-Out. It’s a must for anyone visiting! Later, we’d head to Don Antonio’s for margaritas and dinner—it’s a cozy spot with great vibes and delicious food.

Day 2: Vintage Finds & Luxury Lunch
A morning of treasure hunting at the Rose Bowl Flea Market would be next. It’s the perfect place for vintage finds and unique pieces. For lunch, we’d head to the Langham Hotel in Pasadena to enjoy a relaxing meal surrounded by beautiful gardens and a touch of luxury.

Day 3: Shopping & Entertainment
We’d dedicate a day to exploring The Grove, where you can shop staples like Zara and Nordstrom, then stroll through the outdoor mall’s lively atmosphere. For an extra treat, we’d stop by the Farmer’s Market for local eats.

Day 4: Beach Day
No trip to LA is complete without a beach day! We’d spend the morning hanging out at El Segundo Beach, a chill and less crowded spot where you can really unwind and enjoy the ocean. Then head over to Venice for dinner at Scopa Italian Roots—amazing food, cozy vibes, and the perfect way to end the day. Afterward, we’d walk it all off on the Venice boardwalk, taking in the street art, performers, and that unbeatable California sunset.

Day 5: Hiking & Culture
I love staying active, so we’d go for a morning hike at Griffith Park. The trail to the Griffith Observatory offers amazing views, and get some fun content for the Gram. Afterward, we could explore the Observatory itself and learn a bit about the stars.

Day 6: Art & Nightlife
For a dose of culture, we’d visit The Broad or LACMA for incredible art exhibits. Then we’d grab dinner at a trendy spot like Gracias Madre in West Hollywood before heading out for drinks and dancing at a rooftop bar with city views, like EP & LP or Perch.

Day 7: A Perfect Farewell
On the final day, we’d visit downtown Los Angeles to see iconic spots like Grand Central Market, The Last Bookstore, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We’d finish with a casual dinner in Little Tokyo, soaking up the vibrant energy of the city one last time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For me, it started with the book Rich Dad Poor Dad. That book sparked my initial love for real estate and planted the seed of entrepreneurship. It taught me the value of working for yourself and building a future on your own terms. While I didn’t jump into real estate right away, the lessons from that book stayed with me through other business ventures and trials. Those experiences ultimately guided me to find my true space in the world—real estate.

I also owe so much to my partner, who has been an incredible source of support. From encouragement to tangible help, he has always been there to push me forward and help me pursue my passion.

Additionally, I’m incredibly grateful for the team I get to be a part of, the Jose Prats Team with Christie’s International. Having a mentor, friend, and business partner like Jose, who has paved the way and provided guidance, has been instrumental in my growth and success. Being surrounded by such a driven and supportive team reminds me daily of the importance of collaboration and mentorship.

So, to my partner, my team, and all the experiences that have shaped my journey, this shoutout is for you. Thank you for inspiring, guiding, and believing in me.

Website: https://joseprats.com/agent/zahira-ulloa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahira.ulloa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahira-ulloa/

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zahirau?_t=8nuwoUu70wQ&_r=1

Image Credits
No credits needed.